Rise to Success: Career Highlights of Blake Snell

Discover the career path of Blake Snell, from the first major opportunity to industry-changing achievements.

Blake Snell is a professional baseball pitcher currently playing for the Los Angeles Dodgers in MLB. He previously played for the Tampa Bay Rays, San Diego Padres, and San Francisco Giants. As a pitcher in Major League Baseball, he is a prominent figure in professional sports.

Sections (3)

Full Timeline Career & Achievements Success & Recognition

2011: Signed with the Rays

In 2011, Blake Snell signed with the Tampa Bay Rays for a $684,000 bonus after being drafted and debuted professionally with the Gulf Coast Rays.

2011: Selected in the MLB Draft

In 2011, Blake Snell was selected by the Tampa Bay Rays in the first round of the MLB draft, marking the beginning of his professional baseball career.

2012: Played with the Princeton Rays

In 2012, Blake Snell played with the Princeton Rays, achieving a 5-1 record and a 2.09 ERA in 11 starts.

2013: Played with the Bowling Green Hot Rods

In 2013, Blake Snell played with the Bowling Green Hot Rods, compiling a 4-9 record and a 4.27 ERA in 23 starts.

2014: Promoted to Charlotte Stone Crabs

In 2014, Blake Snell started with Bowling Green and was promoted to the Charlotte Stone Crabs in May. On August 2, he pitched a rain-shortened no-hitter, the first in Stone Crabs history. He was later named the Rays Minor League Pitcher of the Year.

2015: Promoted to Montgomery Biscuits and Durham Bulls

In 2015, Blake Snell started with the Stone Crabs, was promoted to the Montgomery Biscuits after allowing no runs in 21 innings, and later to the Durham Bulls. He was also named the USA Today Minor League Pitcher of the Year.

April 23, 2016: MLB Debut

On April 23, 2016, Blake Snell made his major league debut at Yankee Stadium, allowing a run off a wild pitch in the first inning but striking out the side in the second. His first major league strikeout was of Brian McCann.

2016: Started Season with Durham

Blake Snell began the 2016 season with Durham, where he made 12 starts and had a 3-5 record with a 3.29 ERA before being promoted to the major leagues.

2016: MLB Debut

In 2016, Blake Snell made his Major League Baseball debut with the Tampa Bay Rays, a significant milestone in his career.

2017: Demotion and Recall to MLB

In 2017, after struggling at the beginning of the season, Blake Snell was demoted to Durham on May 13. He was later recalled on June 28 and finished the season with a 5-1 record and a 3.31 ERA in 24 starts.

2018: Tied AL Record for Strikeouts

In 2018, Blake Snell opened the season in the Rays starting rotation. On June 3, he tied an AL record by striking out the first seven batters in a game against the Seattle Mariners at Safeco Field, finishing with 12 strikeouts in six scoreless innings.

2018: AL Cy Young Award

In 2018, Blake Snell won the American League Cy Young Award, was named an All-Star, and led the league in wins and earned run average (ERA), marking a peak in his performance with the Tampa Bay Rays.

March 21, 2019: Signed 5-Year Contract with Rays

On March 21, 2019, Blake Snell agreed to a five-year, $50 million contract with the Tampa Bay Rays, marking the largest deal for a major league pitcher before salary arbitration.

December 29, 2020: Traded to San Diego Padres

On December 29, 2020, the Tampa Bay Rays traded Blake Snell to the San Diego Padres in exchange for several prospects, marking a change in his baseball career.

2020: World Series Game 6

During the 2020 World Series Game 6, while leading 1-0, Blake Snell was controversially pulled from the game in the 6th inning, after pitching a shutout with two hits and nine strikeouts, which led to criticism and a Dodgers victory.

2021: Trade to San Diego Padres

Before the 2021 season, Blake Snell was traded by the Tampa Bay Rays to the San Diego Padres, beginning a new chapter in his MLB career.

2021: Season with the Padres

In 2021, Blake Snell had a 7-6 record and a 4.20 ERA over 27 starts with the San Diego Padres. He finished the season strong, posting a 1.83 ERA in his final eight starts.

2022: Season with the Padres

In 2022, Blake Snell made 24 starts for the San Diego Padres, recording an 8-10 record with a 3.38 ERA, while also participating in three postseason starts.

2023: End of contract with the Rays

Blake Snell's five-year contract with the Rays, signed on March 21, 2019, was set to keep him with the team through the 2023 season.

2023: Exceptional Season and Second Cy Young Award

In 2023, Blake Snell led Major League Baseball in ERA (2.25) and hits-per-nine-innings (5.8) and won his second Cy Young Award while playing for the San Diego Padres.

2023: Second Cy Young Award

In 2023, Blake Snell won his second Cy Young Award while playing for the San Diego Padres, solidifying his status as one of the league's top pitchers.

March 19, 2024: Signed with San Francisco Giants

On March 19, 2024, Blake Snell signed a two-year, $62 million contract with the San Francisco Giants, which included an opt-out after the first year.

April 8, 2024: Giants Debut

On April 8, 2024, Blake Snell made his debut with the San Francisco Giants against the Washington Nationals, pitching three innings and allowing three earned runs.

November 1, 2024: Opted Out of Giants Contract

On November 1, 2024, Blake Snell opted out of his contract with the San Francisco Giants, becoming a free agent.

November 30, 2024: Signed with the Los Angeles Dodgers

On November 30, 2024, Blake Snell signed a five-year contract worth $182 million with the Los Angeles Dodgers, including a $52 million signing bonus and a conditional $10 million option for 2030.

2024: Signed with the Giants and Threw No-Hitter

In 2024, Blake Snell signed with the San Francisco Giants and threw a no-hitter on August 2 against the Cincinnati Reds, marking a memorable season.

March 27, 2025: Dodgers Debut

On March 27, 2025, Blake Snell made his Los Angeles Dodgers debut as the starting pitcher for Opening Day against the Detroit Tigers, pitching five innings and taking the win.

2030: Conditional Contract Option

As part of the five-year contract signed on November 30, 2024, Blake Snell's contract with the Los Angeles Dodgers includes a conditional $10 million option for the year 2030.